Method and apparatus for classifying metal sheets



Feb. 7, 1939.

G.V A. KAUFMAN 'METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR`GLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS FiledNov. 12, 1934 13 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 7, 1939. G. A. KAUFMAN 2,146,581

n METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed Nov. 12, 195413 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Feb- 7, 1939- G. A. KAUFMAN METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed Nov. 12, 1934 13Sheets-Shes?I 3 INVENTOR @M 72 /I/ @7g .771s

Feb. 7, 1939. 2,146,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GLAssIFYING METAL SHEETS G. A. KAUFMAN II l!lNvEN'roR 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 7, 1939. G. A. KAUFMAN 2,146,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed NOV. l2, 1934 l5Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 7,1939. f G. A. KAUFMAN 2,146,581

l METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GLASSIFYING METAL SHEET Filed Nov. l2, 193413 Sheets-Sheet 6 INE'NTOR 679mm; #77mm 2V Feb. 7, 1939. G. A. KAUFMAN2,146,581

' METHOD AND APPARATUS EOE CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed Nov. 12, 193415 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Feb. 7, 1939. G. A. KAUFMAN 2,146,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed Nov. 12, 1954 13Sheets-Sheet 8 Feb. 7, 1939. G. A. KAUFMAN 2,146,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed NOV. l2, 1934 13Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR Feb. 7, 1939.

G. A. KAUFMAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS FiledNov. 12, 1934 l5 Sheets-Sheet 10 mvENT'oR www www @M Feb. 7, 1939. G. A.KAUFMAN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYIN Filed Nov. 12, 1954 (O Qs GMETAL SHEETS 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 my Si Q3 D N O5 Q E E `\JN 02 :h1 EN* Ql 'I N i E@ Urp N mi N 4 INVENTOR Feb. '(7, 1939. G. A. KAUFMAN l l2,146,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Filed NOV. l2, 195415,5heet-s-Sheet 12 G. A. KAUFMAN 2,146,581

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING METAL SHEETS Feb. 7, 1939.

Filed NOV. 12, 1954 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 v l INVVENLOR 4 ZM@ v @wwwPatented Feb. 7, 19.39

UNITED sTATEs METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFY- ma METAL s nEE'rsGeorge A.

Kaufman, Beaver, Pa., assignor to .l ones & Laughlin Steel Corporation,a corporation of Pennsylvania' Application November lz, '1934, sensi No.752,192

31 Claiml.

This invention relates to the classifying of metal sheets or platesaccording to their gage or weight characteristics and more particularlycomprehends an automatic method and appara- 5 tus for segregating metalsheets or plates of like or similar gage or weight characteristics inindividual stacks or piles.

Prior known schemes of classification of metal sheets or plates havebeen essentially orsubstan- T tially manual.' According to priorpractice. a strip of metal is sheared into suitable sheets or plates anddelivered to a stack or pile without regard to the characteristics ofthe individual sheets or plates, and then the sheared sheets are l'-manually, mechanically or pneumatically classified. Since rollingoperations for producing such strip are as yet incapable of producing anentire strip which is uniform in gage without varying beyond permissibletolerance limits, it has been 20 necessary to gage or weigh (weightbeing a direct function of gage) the individual sheared sheets or platesand to thus classify them. According to one practice, a suitable numberof workmen manually weigh or gage each individual sheet and 25 thenmanually place them in a stack or pile.

Other practices attempt automatic weighing or pneumatic classificationof the sheets or plates.

These methods are not only slow and comparatively expensive but arenecessarily appreciably 30 inaccurate due not only to the human factorsinvolved, but due furthermore to the limitations of time and equipmentwhich more or less preclude division of the sheets or plates into stacksor piles which are very nearly uniform as to gage 3:,v or weightcharacteristics. While such practices .have been more or lessexclusively followed in the past the inherent limitations anddisadvantages of such have long been apparent to those concerned withthis field of 4endeavor.

Some attempts have been made in the past to classify sheets or platesautomatically but these have either failed to provide the requisiteaccuracy and speed or they have been unduly complicated and henceimpractical. Such methods 45 as I am aware of attempt to classify theksheets and plates after they are sheared and piled and this meansrelatively complicated apparatus for picking the sheets up individuallyby means of suction apparatus and attempting to automati- 50 cally weigheach sheet. There has been no simple, direct, eicient method andapparatus developed to my knowledge which gives sufilcient promise forpractical commercial use other than that herein disclosed by me.

It is accordingly one of the objects of my present invention toautomatically, rapidly and accurately classify metal sheets or plates ina comparatively simple and eiilcient manner.

Another object of my invention resides in continuously and automaticallygaging a strip of material prior to shearing it into sheets or platesand then in effecting automatic classification rapidly andv withinnarrow adjustable tolerance limits in accordance with the gagecharacteristics.

An additional object of my invention resides in the provision of acombination between a multi-path conveyor and an associated 'gagingdevice, the two being electrically interrelated and the former beingcontrolled b'y the latter.

A further object of my inventionlies in the provision of a conveyorsystem which has electrically controlled means for causing sheets orplates to take a predetermined path of a number of possible pathsthrough the conveyor system in combination with a continuous gagingdevice operating upon a strip prior to shearing it into such sheets orplates and an electrical system connecting such gage and those portionsof the conveyor system which determine the path of travel of anyindividual sheet or plate.

A still further object of my invention resides in continuously andautomatically gaging a strip of material as it is fed to a shearing andconveying system, in shearing the strip into sheets or plates and, inaccordance with the gage characteristics of the individual sheets orplates, causing sheets or plates to follow paths of travelaccording totheir gage characteristics so as to directly classify the plates orsheets as they are sheared into stacks or piles of very closely the samegage characteristics. f

The apparatus for stagger piling metal sheets disclosed herein isclaimed in my copending application Serial No. 50,798, filed November20, 1935.

Other and further objects and advantages reside in the variouscombinations, subcombinations and details to be hereinafter describedand claimed and in such other objects and advantages as will beunderstood by those skilled in this art.

In the accompanying drawings wherein similar numerals designatecorresponding parts Vin the various views:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevational view of a. classifyingapparatus with one form of associated electrical system for securing theobjects and advantages of the present diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of that portion of Fig. 1 relating tothe conveyor system;

invention shown Fig. 3 is an elementary electrical wiring diagramillustrating another circuit which can be used like that of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view', with parts in section, of the rearsection of the mechanical apparatus utilized in a preferred form of theinvention;

Fig. 5 is a continuation of the apparatus of Fig. 4 and showsin sideelevation the next forward portion thereof;

Fig. 6 is a continuation of Fig. 5 and shows in side elevation the nextforward portion of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a continuation of Fig. side elevation the next forwardapparatus to Fig, 6;

Fig. 8 is a continuation of Fig. 'I and shows in side elevation withparts in section the forward end of the apparatus and the stagger-piler;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of that portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of that portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5and is a forward continuation of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l is a plan view of Figs. 6 and 7, with certain intermediateportions omitted and is a forward continuation of Fig. 10;

Fig. l2 is a plan view with parts in section of the forward end of theplier disclosed in Fig. 8 and is a forward continuation of Fig. 11;

Fig, 13 is an end elevational view on a somewhat smaller scale lookingtoward the front of the apparatus and stagger-pller, that is, lookingfrom the left of either of Figs. 8 or 12;

Fig. 14 illustrates in front elevation a microammeter indicating gage;

Fig. 15 illustrates a vertical cross-section through the rolls, beltsand deector at the ilrst classifying station of the apparatus andindicates in dotted lines the shearing device;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 without the shearing device at thesecondv classifying station of the apparatus; and

Fig. 17 represents an elementary electrical wiring diagram of thestagger-piler circuit in asso ciation with a photo-tube control circuit.

In describing the apparatus, I shall start at the rear end thereof andwork forwardly as I believe thatthis will provide a clearer and morelogical explanation following, so to speak, the course which thematerial follows. At the rearward end of the apparatus there is asuitable framework I Il upon which is provided a suitable receivingplatform II having raised sides I2 and upon which the strip of materiali is placed. Suitable cross braces I3 and angular struts I5 give thedesired strength and rigidity. Forwardly of this framework is acontinuous gaging device I8 which may be, for example, that known as aPratt l: Whitney Electrolimit" gage shown in somewhat exaggerated formfor clarity. The gage I5 is provided with a pair of gaging rolls thelower of which I1 may be fixed and the upper of which Il may be"floating" or variable as to position in a slot I5 of hanger 20 so thatit can rise` and fall to the desired extent in accordance with thethickness of the strip I passing between the gage rolls. It is onlynecessary that the gage rolls be relatively movable so as to accuratelyvary their relative distance apart in accordance with gage variations ofthe strip. The gaging rolls are, of course, mounted in a suitable heador standard 2i and as shown in Fig. 1, for example, the

6 and shows in portion of the apparatus and staggerrolls are connectedinto an electrical system to be hereinafter described. The head orstandard 2| of this gage is configured so as to be slidable in theslideways 22, the gage standard 2i having a projection 23 adapted forthis purpose. 'I'he whole gage is suitably mounted-on a suitableframework 24 and is preferably provided with rubber inserts (not shown)to minimize transmission oi' vibrations to the gage.

stationed forwardly of the gage stand designated in general by thenumeral 25 and which is suitably mounted as by bolts 26 to a suitablebase or support member 21 which is common both to the Vroll stand and tothe gage. Suitably mounted in any known manner in the roll stand is apair of driven rolls 28 through which strip I is fed. The pressure ofthese rolls on the strip may be varied by the adjusting assemblyindicated in general by the numeral 29, the details of which are wellknown and form no part of the present invention. After the strip passesthrough these rolls 28 they are threaded through a throat. This throatis constructed of two heavy metal plates 23 so mounted the roll stand onthe center line of the pass between the rolls, and soldered, brazed orotherwise suitably secured to these plates 23 are brass plates 30 whichare also mounted to provide a tapering passageway and which at theforward end thereof approach the thickness of the strip in theirspacing. The rolls 28 may be suitably driven in any desired or knownmanner and act as feed rolls.

As shown in Figs. 5 and 10, the next forward portion of the apparatusconsists of a conveyor section and as will be hereinafter more fullyunderstood this conveyor section is common to the various possible pathsof travel through the conveyor system and hence is hereinafter termed acommon conveyor section This common conveyor section designated ingeneral by the numeral 45 is made up oi inclined metal side beams 3|secured together by cross-braces 32 which are suitably fastened in placeat their ends to the inclined beams as by securing plates 33. At eachend of this conveyor section is a roll 34 journalled in suitablebearings which are secured to the inclined beams and extendingpractically the full width of the apparatus. Around these rolls is asuitable endless conveyor belt 35 made of rubber or of any othersuitable material. The rearward roll 34 of the two is mounted on asuitable support 36 which in turn is mounted on the forward end of thecommon support 21 beneath the lgage and roll stand. For the l purpose ofdriving this endless conveyor belt a suitable chain, belt or the like 31passes therearound (a suitable gear on roll 34 being provided when achain is used) and also around a driving pulley or wheel 38 mounted in asuitable support 39. The proper degree of tension is maintained on asuitable base 43. The forward end of the common conveyor section issupported by vertical beams 44.

Suitably positioned between the roll stand 25 and the common conveyorsection 45, Just deshear designated in general 'I'his ying shear is ofwell known construction and is suitably mounted and I5 is a roll gdriven in such manner that as the shear blades 41- approach `cuttingposition they. are. travelling at the same-1 -rate -of speedas-theig-strip l. In this manner, without'stopping the strip, the stripis sheared into sheets orvplates `as `it leaves the roll standl 25-anditsassoclated throat. `If I so desire, thetravel of vthestripV could becontrolled by a `suitable movement of the Geneva type .applied to rolls28 and in such casethe istrip would be stopped periodically foralverybrief period of time during which it could be cut by a stationaryshear if so desired. 'v f Forwardly .disposed with relation to thecommon conveyor section 45 above described, the framework of theapparatuscontinues in a` sub,-

stantially horizontal position and lsmade up. of h longitudinal-metalside rbeams .48 supported at their rear bythe vertical'beams 44andbracedby angular beams 49 and cross-beams 58. kThis sec\ tion isdesignated as a whole by the numeral l. At the rearward terminus of thisnext forward conveyor section 5I and Justforwardly of the commonconveyor section 45 is arranged a rst defiecting station 52. rIt isapparent from Fig. 1 in particular that located forwardly of this firstdeflecting station 52 arel two conveyor sections, one inclineddownwardly to a material extent and one inclined downwardly onlyslightly. Suitably mounted in the framework 48 in conveyor section 5Iaforesaid is aroll 59 extending across the apparatus and suitablyjournalled in bearings attached to the framework and which serves forthe receptionof endless conveyor belt 54, which also passes around aroll 55 (Fig. 6).

Suitably mounted in bearings 58, 59 mounted onr framework extendingupwardly from the beams 48 are a pair of pinch rolls 56, 51 kof suitablesize andconguration and the upper 51) of which, as shown in Fig. 5, may'be adjusted to vary the pressure upon material passing between therolls. The adjusting mechanism is well known and is designated bynumeral 68'; Slightly forwardly of the lower pinch roll is a roll 6lwhich receives conveyor belt52 which, as shown in the right hand portionofFig. 6,- travels slightly downwardly and passes around-a roll 63suitably journalled and mounted. To vmaintain proper tension on thebeltit may be caused to pass, after its passage around roll 83, over aroll 64 and 4under another roll `65, either or both of `which beingadjustable as to position for the purpose of maintaining the desireddegree of tautness in the belt. Roll 64 is journalledin bearings 65 andis shown to be ,adjustable as to vertical position by meansdesignated as66. As will be clear from Fig. 15, in particular,l approximately overthe roll 58 is a shaft 61 which extends across the apparatus and issuitably journalled and supported. Soldered, welded, or otherwisesecured tot-his shaft are the two brass plates 68 arranged as shown sothat they form a V the lower plate of which is more orless horizontallydisposed in its Inormal full line position (Fig. It is apparentthat-.such V- in this way provides two guiding surfaces for the shearedsheets vor plates coming from the commonconveyor .section 45. This'V issodisposedithatwhen in the full line position of Fig. 15itdirectsordeflects the sheets or plates between the pinch'rolls 56, 51and hencel onto conveyor belt 62, the pinch rolls being suitably drivenin any desired manner. When in the dotted line position of Fig." 15,sh'eets'or-plates .are

veyor belt 54. hereinafter.

FromfFlg. 5 it will be apparent that one end of shaft 61.is providedwith a llever 69.- y'I'heforward endof vthe`lever69` is connected to astrong spring 1l)` suitably mounted.' The'lrearward end offthe `lever 69isconnectel through ashort link 1I to a solenoid .core 12'-.extendingfupwardly: withinthe solenoidcasin'g 13fwhich is suitably. electricallywound inknown manner.'` It is thus apparent thatwhen the solenoid.13isenergized by thepassage of currentvthrough-its windingsvit draws upinto `it solenoid core .12 and" thus through link 1I and lever l69imparts a small amount of rotation to shaft 61 =which accordingly servesto Ialt rnately raise the V of lFig. 15 into its dotted linepositon'and'then to -allow it to move back to full line position' whenthe current is off and the solenoid is deenergized. When the V is in thedotted line position of Fig. 15 the sheets or plates are deflected ontoconveyor belt 54 and when they arrive at the lower forward end of thisbelt as seen in Fig. 6 they then pass between a set of pinch rolls 14,15 similar to the pinch rolls already described and the lower4 of whichis mounted in bearings 15 and is movable Lor yieldable (and adjustable)against `spring and bolt assembly 11. After passing through these pinchrolls the sheets orplates are discharged onto a l truck 18.

Arranged in a ,forward continuation of -the f I framework beams 48 is asecond deflector station 'as sho-wn in Fig..6 and designated as a wholetor station 52 already described in 'connection with Fig. 5 and the useof the sanenumerals on the deector stationv parts inr Fig. 6 indicatesthat ythe parts are in fact the same. As at the first deflector station,two conveyor belts are arranged forwardly of the second deector stationwhereat, as will hereinafter be more fully appreciated, sheets or platescan be caused to travel either along conveyor belt 19-passing aroundrolls 80. 8| or along conveyor belt 82 passing around rolls 88, 84.Endless conveyor belt 19 passes over roll 85 (Fig. '1) after leavingroll 8l to keep the belt in proper position and condition. f Endlessconveyor belt -82 is kept in proper position and condition by passingover a suitable roll such as 86 and thenv under a closely adjacent roll81.

. In the same way as at the first defiector station when the V is in itsdotted line position as in Figs. 1 and 16, the sheets or plates fromconveyor belt 62 are caused to travel downwardly along conveyor belt 19'through a set of' pinch rolls 88, 89 the lower (89) of which is mountedin bearings 90 and yields against a spring and bolt assembly 9| andhence to another truck 92 which receives preceding conveyor belt onrolls 94,95 suitably journalled and mounted in-a forward continuationyof the framework beams 48e. Belt 93 passes over yieldable roll 96mounted in bearings 91 and working against spring and bolt assembly9,8.`

`As will be best understood from Fig. 8 in particular, when the sheetsor plates receivedv by conveyor belt 93, which is the most forwardconveyorsection, reach roll 95 in their travel they are discharged fromthe conveyor system between a pair ofpinch rolls 99, |00 which aresuitably mounted and driven. Sheets or plates received by pinch rolls99. |00 are discharged onto receiving truck |0| where they pile up. Itwill be understood that the sheets or plates received by truck |0| are0. K. sheets, that is, sheets which are within tolerance limits of theorder being filled or within gage limits in accordance with the settingand adJustment ofthe apparatus.

At this point in the apparatus there is, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13particularly, a gallows construction consisting of vertical channelbeams |02 which are connected at their upper ends by -a/cross beam |03.suitably mounted in one of the vertical beams |02 is a sheave |04 overwhich a cable |05 passes. Also mounted on the cross beam |03 by means ofa depending bracket |09 is another sheave |01 over which the cable |05also passes. One end of this cable |05 is suitably connected to a crosshead |03 which in turn, by means of metal hook and eye bolts |09, ||0,is connected at each end to the slidable bearings in which the pinchrolls |00, 99 are journalled. When these journals move'up or down theycarry therewith, as will be understood from Fig. 12, the forward end ofthe conveyor section I2, so that the inclination of this final conveyoris also changeable,'the conveyor being fulcrumed suitably at itsrearward end adjacent roll 94. The vertical beams |02 of the gallowsconstruction are provided with associated slideways ||3 so that by anysuitable means as by a drum or worm gear the free end of cable |05 canbe drawn in or slackened thus either raising or lowering member |09 andconnected members and thus altering the position of roll 95 and theforward end of conveyor belt 93, so as to change the inclination of belt93 and/or simultaneously to vary the pressure between the pinch rolls99, |00.

Sheets or plates from conveyor belt 93 and discharged through pinchrolls 99, |00 are caused to form a stack or pile on truck |0| as alreadystated and such is suitably positioned to receive the same as shown inFig. 8. As will be apparent from Figs. 8, l2 and 13, a cross bar ||4 isprovided extending approximately the full width of the apparatus andsuitably secured to the framework thereof. This bar lil is provided withspaced holes H5 through which pass the rearward ends of rods I0 whichare maintained in place by means of nuts The forward `ends of these rods||9 have suitably depending therefrom a stop plate ||9 which preventsthe forward movement of `the`sheets from causing them to travel too farandat the same time causes them to pile up abutting this stop platesothat the forward edges thereof are aligned.

Disposed along the sides of this portion of the apparatus and inparallelism with the rods ||6 aforesaid are shafts ||9 rotatably mountedat each end in bearings |20 and maintained in position by triangularshaped supports |2| Depending. at spaced points from these shafts aremechanical fingers |22, three on each shaft being shown, although thenumber may, of course, be varied to suit circumstances. Associated witheach of these shafts is a solenoid casing |23 of the same general typeas that hereinabove described at I3 in connection with each of the.deflecting stations. These solenoids have movable cores |24 which aredrawn within the solel noid casings when the windings thereof areenamarsi ergized. A short link |23 connects each solenoid core with anami or lever |20 to one end of which the short link is connected and theother end of such arm or lever being fastened to one oi' the shafts ||9.These mechanical flngers have two possiblepositions, a retractedposition (at the left of Fig. 13) and an advanced position (at the rightoi' Fig. 13). The fingers are so constructed and mounted that one set offingers is in advanced position while the other set is in retractedposition. Looking at Fig. 13, for example, it will be seen that thefingers at the left oi' the view are retracted while those at the rightare advanced. The solenoids and hence the positions of the mechanicalfingers are controlled by a suitable associated electrical circuit whichcan be rendered operative orinoperattive independently of theclassification appara us.

Mounted upon the bar ||4 is an electric eye installation |21 which isconnected into the electrical circuit controlling the mechanicalfingers. The purpose of the mechanical fingers, as will be understoodfrom an inspection of Fig. 13, in particular, is to pile the sheetsdischarged from conveyor belt 93 through pinch rolls 99, |00 in groups,each group being offset or staggered from the preceding group. 'I'henumerals |28, |29 |30 indicate three such groups lof sheets which havebeen stagger-piled, as it is called, and the mechanical fingers at the-right of Fig. 13 are shown to be receiving the first sheet |3| of a newgroup of sheets which will be piled in the same manner as the secondgroup of sheets |29 are already shown to be piled. An electricalcounting device which may be a notched or segmented switch elementoperatively associated with said electric eye installation determineshow many sheets are included in each group of sheets and when thiscounting device reaches the pre-set number, i. c..

8, the electric eye causes current to ow through the solenoid circuitthis energizing the solenoids and retracting whichever mechanical ngersare in the advanced position and as these ngers retract they draw thesheets with them a short l distance due to friction and to the angle ofthe base of the fingers so that they are dropped in the manner shown andas the fingers on one side retract, those on the other side advance toreceive the next group of sheets. As stated the number of sheets to agroup can be predetermined bymeans of a suitable electrical controldevice which may cause the electric eye inst-allation to energize thesolenoid circuit after any given number of sheets have passed theelectric eye installation. While this number for convenience in thepresent installation can be set from l to 10, 8 is the most commonlyused number,

but, of course, .the counting device can be arranged to count anydesired number of sheets. The forward end of the classifying apparatus,therefore, can be at will converted into a stagger-piler as it is calledin the industry, but as stated, this may be either used or not used, asdesired, and if not used the sheets pile up uniformly and can be removedat desired intervals by wheeling out the truck and substituting a newtruck. |32 is a suitable control box mounted on the gallowsconstruction. |33 and |34 are suitable electrical cables.

As described above, the classifier will discharge sheets or plates intothree separate piles or classifications, I may, however, increase thenumber of classifications to ilve and such an arrangement is shownschematically in Figs. l and 2. Instead auassi of discharging sheetsfrom conveyor belts Il and 18 onto trucks as heretofore described thesesheets may be deposited upon reversible cross conveyors ill, driven ineither direction by motors |38, as indicated by the double headed arrowsin Fig. 2. In such case,4 it being understood for the sake of simplicityof description that conveyor belt M handles over-gage sheets andconveyor belt 18 handles under-gage sheets, the overgage sheets andlikewise the under-gage sheets are deposited Iupon such reversibleconveyor which breaks up each of these classifications into twoclassifications, e. g., heavy and extra heavy gage and light .and extralight gage. -In each case the reversible conveyor is connected into theElectrolimit" gage circuit through timed relays such that automaticallythe reversible lconveyor is caused to travel in the appropriatedirection depending upon whether the material is heavy or extra heavy inthe ca se of the ilrst deflecting station and depending upon' whetherthe material is light or extra light in connection with vention, I mayutilize a classifying scheme as above described at each end of-each ofthe cross conveyors so that I can produce any number of classificationsdesired or required according to circumstances. Any such classificationscan also be stagger-piled as will be understood.

Before describing the electrical circuit, it will be well at this pointto summarize the operation of the device since the electrical system isessentially an actuating and/controlling means for carrying out themethod and for operating the apparatus. Let it be assumed that an orderfor sheets calls for a. gage thickness of approximately .0105 inch. Dueto the fact that strips of mate-` rial prepared for shearing intosheets, no matter how carefully rolled, always vary along their entirelength as much as .002 or .003 inch or more, it is certain lthat partsof the strip will not conform to the requirements of the order.

Let it be further assumed that the tolerance limits on this particularorder are .0005 inch either way. Therefore, the apparatus will be so setmechanically and electrically that all sheets between the limits 'of.010 inch and .011 inch will be passed along the conveyor and willbedischarged at the end where the stagger-piler is located and whichlatter may be in operation or' not as preferred or required. Frequently,a material part oi' the strip is outside of these limits of .010 to .011inch and if such sheets were intermingled with the order this wouldcause rejection or unsatisfactory filling of the order. The f travel ofthe sheets onto the conveyor belt 54 and v hence to discharge either asone pile or as further classiiied piles. Similarly, at the seconddetlecting station all those sheets which are undergage, that is, lessthanv .010 inch in thickness and consequently which are light are de'-vynested from the normal path of travel of the sheets onto conveyor belt1l so that only the so-called "0. X." sheets, that is, sheets betweenV.010 inch and .011 inch are allowed to travel the full length of theconveyor system and to be discharged at the vstagger-piler end. In thisway 'an order can be conveniently iilled in. an accurate and emcientmanner so that the order will meet requirements and will not be subjectto refection. The diverted sheets whether they be extra heavy, heavy,light or extra light, are likewise classified and put into stock so thatorders calling for sheets within the limits of the classification can befilled merely troni stock on hand.

In operation, the strip of material I is threaded through theElectrolimit gage i8 and through the roll stand 2l until it projectsinto the throat 2l, Il. 'I'hen the roll stand is set into operation andthe strip is fed to the shearing device 4B where it is sheared intosheets, which sheets are carried by the common conveyor section Il andclassined as aforesaid. 'Contrary to those attempts which have beendirected to the classiilcation of already sheared sheets, it will beapparent that by my present invention I automatically and continuouslygage the strip before it is sheared into sheets. The movable gage rollIl of the gaging device suitably initiates the operation of theelectrical circuit which controls in timed manner the solenoids 1I, 13aand hence the V's il at the deiiector stations 52. If the sheets, lasgaged, are within tolerance limits of the order the sheets follow alongthe upper conveyor belts l2, Il, I3 to the stagger-piler end of theapparatus. Whenever, however, a thicker portion of the strip passesthrough the gage.' it sets the electrical system into delayed operationin such manner, depending also upon the speed of travel of the stripwhich is itself variable and which further controls all timedrelationships present in the apparatus, that at the instant when theovergage portion is about to reach the iirst deflecting station, thedefiector is caused to op up, thus diverting the sheets which are tooheavy, as above described, and this continues as long asovergagematerial is passing through the gage..

When the material reverts to a gage within tolerancelimits thedeilectoris caused to assume its normal position for 0. K." sheets. Sheets whichare too light, as automatically gaged, pass the iirst deilector stationwithout the position of the deilector thereat having been altered butwhen these under-gage sheets reach the second deecting station, thecircuit is so timed that at the right instant the deiiector at thesecond de'- ecting station is hopped up thus diverting undergage sheetsas above described. The gage, therefore, first electrically classifiesthe unsheared strip and then at the proper timed intervals brings aboutmechanical alterations in the apparatus at the deiiecting stations tobring about a mechanical classification corresponding precisely with theelectrical classification. In. this manner, entirely automatically,except for` the initial threading of the strip into the apparatus, thematerial is electrically med prior to .shearing it into sheets, thestrip is sheared into sheets, the sheets are passed onto a commonconveyor section, and is then mechanically classified after shearing instrict accordance with the electrical classification made by the gagedevice before shearing. Tests have shown that sheets can be classifiedkwithout error in'this manner within exceedingly small tolerance limitsso that unusually iine and accurate classiilcation can be rapidly andautomuch more rapidly than anything heretofore'.Vv

vpossible of accomplishment in this connection without loss of accuracybut alsoas to any deaired gage for the 0. K." sheets.v

This adjustment is enicaeiously made possiblel by means of themicroammeter indicating gage |31illustrated in Fig. 14. The.microammeter indicating gage |31, in addition to arecording de,-i

Y vice appropriately associated therewith for permanently recording gagevariations in the form of a chart or graph, is providedwith a' zerocenter scale I 33 whereon a zero reading indicates correct gage and plusand minus readings respectively indicate over and under gage.-Indicating pointer |33 shows the relative gage of the strip in thegaging device. Near its lower end, pointer |35 has two wire contacts|40, |40, which, when pointer |35 sufficiently shifts its position,project into adjustable mercury contact cups |4I, |4I. Mercury contactcups |41 are previously set, being movable by a suitable screw, to theappropriate position as indicated by their pointers |42 on auxiliaryscales |43. Accordingly, when pointer I 35 exceeds tolerance limits ofthe gage |31, as set, contact is made with one of contact Acups I4| andthe electrical-circuit is connected and completed thus carrying out theoperations above described.

Considering now the electrical circuit shown in Fig'. 1 as associatedwith Electrolimit gage I5 and temporarily leaving outx` of considerationmicroammeter No. 2 and thyratron control panelv No. 2 it will be seenthat relative variation in the positions of the gaging'rolls of gage |5appropriately aects coil or coils |44 whichact electrically through a.power packl l|45. This power pack contains in suitable relationship arectifier, an input transformer, a resistor therefor and a differentialtransformer.- The power pack |45 is electrically connected to a ilrstmicroammeter indicating gage |31. as'shown. 'Ihe positive and negativesides of this microammeter indicatinggage are connected to a resistor orpotentiometer |43 which in turn at its ends is connected to the twothyratron tubes |41 and |43. As shown, each thyratron tube has a circuitwhich contains suitable-resistors |45 and condensers |50. Thyratrontube] |41 acts as a sensitive control relay for that deiiecting station52 which diverts light or undergage sheets to a separate point ofdischarge. Similarly thyratron tube |43 controls that deector station 52which diverts heavy or overgage sheets to a separate discharge point.

As shown at the left of the thyratron control panel No. 1 the circuitsutilize currentof 110 volts and 60 cycles. The thyratron tubes are alsoconnected through coils or relays and |52 to magnetically controlledmulti-polar switches |53 and |54 which are connected to the current lineas shown through suitable coils, of which |55 indicates a coll whichacts for diverting heavy or overgage sheets to their proper path at adeilecting station by suitably controlling the solenoid thereat; and thenumeral |55 indicates a coil for diverting light sheets to their properpath of travel. Where I use a system of cross conveyors as illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2 and as above described, I provide a second microammeterindicating gage I31a connected to power pack |45 through a resistor |51and a separate thyratron control panel which. except as will be observedfrom Fig. i, yis understood to have the l'same electrical connections ascontrol panel No. 1.

'I'hyratron tube |55 acts through coil or relay |55 to controlthepathoftravel of extra light sheets. In similar ,fashion 4thyratrontube |30 controls thepath oitravel of extra heavy sheets and actsthrough coil' I5I.. In such case also the understood connections (notshown)` are utilized. The numeral |52 represents the coil or relay forcontrolling the forward movement ofthe heavy cross conveyor when heavysheets are being handled andthe coil orrelay |53 controls the reversingof the heavy cross conveyor for handling `extra heavy sheets. Numeral|54 indicates the forward coil or relay for the light cross conveyor tohandle light sheets and numeral' |55 indicates the reversing coil orrelay for the light cross conveyor for handling extra light sheets.Microammeter indicating gage No. ,2' may be constructed on adifferentscale from the microammeter indicating gage No. 1 asschematically indicated in Fig. 1 for reasons which will be understood.

'I'he elementary wiring diagram of Fig. 3 shows a suitable circuitdelineated in a more general -manner for use in connection with thepresent invention as to the classifying features thereof. Current oi 220volts `and 25 cycles enters the circuit when the switch |55 is closed.Fuses |51 are provided adjacent the switch for the usual reasons.Current -enters through input transformer |55 and diierentialtransformer |55. is a resi-Stance cutout and I 1| is an associated coilor relay having contacts I1Ia and I1Ib.y The numeral |31diagrammatically indicates a microammeter and it is apparent that uponthe contacts thereof being .suitably closed, one or the other ofthyratron tubes |41 or |45 is connected. The balance of the thyratrontube circuits will be understood from what has preceded and particularlyby a referenceto Fig. 1. In the lower part of Figure 3 the conductors200, 20| likewise are connected' to switch |55 via fuses |51. Acrossthese conductors, solenoids 202. 203 are disposed which are.respectively, like solenoids 13, 13a in that solenoid 202 causesdiversion of overgage sheets and solenoid 203 causes diversion ofundergage sheets. Four relays 204, 205, 205, 201 are valso provided asshown associated with which a coil 205; contacts 209a are actuatedthrough a rectifier having a coil 209; contacts 2|0a, 2|0b are actuatedthrough a rectiiier having a coil 2 I0 and contacts 2IIa are actuatedthroughv a rectifier having a coil 2| I.

In Fig. 17 I have illustrated one electrical system for actuating andcontrolling the staggerpiler described above. Switch element I 50 ispreset to the desired contact on notched switch |11. Such switch usuallyis provided with ten (10) contacts and the preset position is usually oncontact #8, although I am not restricted in either case as the same maybe varied to suit circumstances or requirements.

As each sheet passes between light source |15 portions. Since such acurrent is itself too weak i and hence unable to eect desired electricaloperations, I amplify the same to suitable and useful proportions bymeans of suitable thyratron and pliotron tubes |82 and |88a,respectively. This is accomplished by passing the feeble current throughpotentiometers |88 and thence through any one or more of secondarytransformers |88 which provide enough potential'. acting through tubes|82, to actuate a relay |88. Each time a sheet passes between lightsource |18 and phototube |18, and hence each time relay |88 is actuated,switch element |8| is advanced one notch vor contact. When element |8|has moved a number of times equal to the preset position of element |88,i. e., when both elements |88 and |8| are electrically connected, relay|88 is energized and sealed in around the switches by contacts |81.Relay |88, in turn. picks up relay |88 which picks up relay |88 providedrelay |88 is de-energized. After relay |88 is picked up, relays |88 and|88 are dropped out and relay |88 is picked up and sealed' in, breakingone seal in the circuit of relay |88 so that when relay |88 is againpicked up, relay |88 is dropped out and then when relay |88 is droppedout. relay |88 drops out'also. Then the equipment is reset f or anothercycle.

Solenoids |28 are alternately energized through the normally open andnormally closed contacts |8| and |82, respectively. The numeral |18indicates a magnetic counting device which may or may not be used, asdesired or required. A

suitable switch is provided for rendering the same either operative orinoperative. When operative each actuation of relay |88 causes actuationof |18 so that the total number of sheets is'always known and indicated.

The current set up by photo-tube |18 is first amplified by pliotron tube|82a and then applied to the grid of nnyratron tube In. The ampuneacurrent trips the thyratron tube and starts current ilowing to the coiloi control relay |88. 'I'he potentiometers |88 are provided foradjusting the circuits for the proper values for .the range ofillumination change at which operation is desired or necessitated.

|88 is a change-over switch for changing the circuits from operation onlight increase to operation on light decrease, or vice versa.

This electrical circuit, therefore, consists primarily of electricalcontrol means for alternately energizing the solenoids which in turncontrol the actuation of the mechanical ngers, in a preselective andpretimed relationship. Thedetails shown and described will be clear toanyone skilled in the electrical arts. v

Referring back to the circuits shown in Figs. 1 and 3, it will beapparent that with the strip between the rolls of gage I8 and when themeters indicate gage Iwithin tolerance limits of the order the normaloperation of the apparatus occurs and the sheets or plates which arewithin such tolerance limits are delivered bythe conveyor system to an"0. K. pile which is at the stagger-piler end of the apparatus. 'I hesesheets or plates when delivered to the staggerpiler are received by thealternate sets of mechanical fingers in groups of sheets determined andcontrolled by the stagger-piler circuit and particularly in accordancewith the pre-setting of the magnetic counting device so that groups ofsheets each containing the predetermined l n 7 number are alternatelylaid in stagger or offset relationship as above described.

Light source |18 (Figs. 13 and 17) is so located at the stagger pilerapparatus that its light is received by photo-tube |18 either directly,in which case the light source may be placed so .that the sheets passbetween itvand the phototube, or indirectly, in which case the lightsource is above or on a similar plane withphoto-tube so that lightisreflected from the sheets into the photo-tube. The former arrangementis preferable to the latter in .most installations.

Assuming that the magnetic counter is set for 8 sheets to a group, eachlight ray received by photo-tube |18 causes the magnetic counter toadvance one step until, when 8 such light rays fall upon photo-tube |18,the circuit is established. The same is true whatever number of sheetsis desired in a group, the last step of the counter establishing contactand completing the circuit whereupon the above described operations ofstagger piling occur. The stagger piler circuit is controlled by asuitable master switch. When such switch makes contact the staggerpilergoes'into operation and when stagger piling is not required or desiredthe switch is left open or in 0.1" position whereupon the stagger-pileris inoperative. As shown in Fig. 17 the stagger-piler circuit isprovided with suitable variable inductances |11 and with suitable'resistancea relays. coils, condensers, switches,

rectiflers and transformers all as will be understood from the precedingdescription. The photo-tube circuit in the upper half of Fig. 1'7 willlikewise be clearly understood by those familiartherewith and it isbelieved that detailed explanation thereof is not required for anunderstanding of the present invention.

It is pointed out that elements |11 and their associated parts are shownin duplicate. This is not necessary to the proper operation of thestagger piler since one such element |11 and its circuit suillces.`'I'he other represents a spare which can be instantly cut in if neededwhen it is necessary or desirable to cut out the first. |18a indicatescopper oxide rectiers and the other features of the circuit require noexplanation since they will either be understood by those familiar withelectrical wiring diagrams or will be apparent from the presentspecification.

Upon an increase in the thickness of the strip I, .which is great enoughto cause No. 1 meter to close the associated circuit at point |18, tube|88 causes current to pass to operate coil |52 which closes the contactsfor operating the diverter solenoid for the heavy plate |88 and also tostart up (when cross conveyors are used for further classification) theheavy plate cross conveyor belt forward coil |82. If the strip continuesto increase in thickness enough to cause No. 2 meter to close thecircuit at |18, thereupon the tube |88 causes current to pass to operate

